Crystal Palace centre back Maxence Lacroix earned his senior France debut as Les Bleus defeated Brazil 2-1 in Massachusetts. Lacroix came on as a second half substitute for Ballon d'Or winner Ousmane Dembele in the 58th minute.
Crystal Palace defender Maxence Lacroix earned his senior France debut as Les Blues beat Brazil 2-1 in Massachusetts.
As both sides began to ramp up preparations for the 2026 World Cup in USA, Canada and Mexico, Lacroix was called up to the squad for the first time last Sunday, following an injury to Arsenal’s William Saliba in the Carabao Cup final.
And the 25-year-old, who played at U16, U17, U18 and U20 level for France, made his debut off the bench, becoming France's 950th senior player, with Didier Decschamps looking to see what he can do.
In the stadium where France will play their final group match of the World Cup this summer against Norway, Lacroix passed the test.
He came on in challenging circumstances, with Dayot Upamecano sent off after he fouled Brazil full-back Wesley when he was the last man.
That led to a reschuffle and France withstanding more pressure, as Ngolo Kante came on alongside Lacroix, who replaced Ballon d’Or winner Ousmane Dembele.
He paired up with Liverpool centre-back Ibrahima Konate, and formed a back four alongside Theo Hernandez and Chelsea’s Malo Gusto.
Brazil were able to score when Lacroix was on the pitch, preventing a complete dream debut, but France were still able to hold out for a 2-1 win.
Kylian Mbappe scored his 56th goal for France, which sees him sit just one behind his nation’s top goalscorer Olivier Giroud.
Hugo Ekitike made it 2-0 after finishing from former Eagle Michael Olise’s assist 10 minutes after the red card.
Bremer scored for Brazil, but it was not enough and it was France who took the win.
Lacroix was his usually accurate self with his passing, something that Eagles fans have become accustomed to since he joined the club from Wolfsburg.
He had 94% pass accuracy in his 32 minutes on the pitch, showing the world that he is just at home in a France shirt on the world stage as he is in a Crystal Palace shirt.
Lacroix will now hope to earn his second cap as France face Colombia on Sunday night, where he could face fellow Palace stars Daniel Munoz and Jefferson Lerma.
Both Munoz and Lerma were in action for Colombia in their 2-1 defeat to Croatia on Thursday night.
Wolves’ Jhon Arias scored for Colombia after just two minutes but Croatia hit back with two goals of their own from Luka Vuskovic and Igor Matanovic to take the win.